Job Interview Thank You Notes Guide

57% of interviewees do not send a thank you after a job interview, according to a Careerbuilder study.

Eighty-six percent of employers view candidates who do not send thank you notes as clearly not good at "follow through" -- which is a big negative.

So, sending a thank you -- if done reasonably well -- will definitely not hurt your chances at a job.

Best case, your thank you will improve the impression you left after the interview, making you stand out from your competitors.

Worst case, your thank you will be ignored.

Before you leave the interview, collect names and addresses. You need the correct spelling of each interviewer's name as well as their email and postal addresses.

If possible, exchange business cards with each person who interviews you. If you can't collect the business cards, confirm name (with the correct spelling) and contact information with the recruiter or HR staff or someone else on the staff before you leave.

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Writing Your Best Thank You

Regardless of how the interview happened -- in person, over the telephone, at lunch, or via an online video -- a prompt thank you note, to each participant, is appropriate.

When you get home from your job interview, hang up the phone, or disconnect from Skype, look at your job interview notes, dig in, and write your thank you immediately.

In most -- but not all -- circumstances, email is acceptable. More on that below.

Choosing the Right Thank You Method

Word processed notes that are printed (also in the sample formal thank you format, above).

An emailed thank you immediately followed with a physical version (either hand-written or word-processed) sent via regular mail.

Email is acceptable to nearly 90% of employers according to that Accountemps survey referenced above and linked at the bottom of this article. However, more traditional people often prefer a hand-written or, even, a word processed thank you.

Your choice of communications method depends on what you feel most comfortable doing and what you think the people who interviewed you will prefer.

For example:

If the job you are pursuing requires skills with email, send an emailed note that demonstrates your email expertise

If the job requires extensive use of word processing software, creating and sending a note (with address printed on the envelope) demonstrates your word processing skills.

If all of your communications with the employer have been via email, sending an emailed thank you may be most appropriate.

For formal organizations like law firms and accounting firms, a hand-written thank you sent via snail mail may be the most appropriate.

If you use email, do NOT send one email message to everyone you interviewed with. Make each message unique, based on your notes, and send each to only one individual.

Yes, you need to write different letters that reflect the different discussions and points made (or not made).

Remember, you never know who really holds the influence on the hiring process! Thank everyone who interviewed you.

Don’t think you know who is most important and write one thank you, only to them. You could do yourself damage if you choose the wrong person, so don't take that risk.

Creative Thank You's

Be very careful, because this can backfire badly if you send it to the wrong person or the wrong organization.

Laura DeCarlo is recognized as the career industry’s ‘career hero’ making a difference to both job seekers and career professionals as the founder of Career Directors International. She possesses 11 top-level certifications in resume writing, career coaching, and career management; 7 first place resume and job placement awards; and has written three books on interviewing and job search including Interview Pocket RX, Interviewing: The Gold Standard, Resumes for Dummies,and Job Search Bloopers. Follow Laura on Twitter at @careerhero.